925 11/11/96 Up Rainbow Falls and down Bull Head Trails alone on a cold, clear, day. It was 27 F at the trailhead at 7:40 a.m. and 7 øF at the lodge at 11:30 a.m. 441 was closed because of snow, so I had to take the fourteen mile round trip using these trails. The trailhead was snow covered and the trail to Rainbow Falls was mostly ice covered. Above the Falls the trail was mainly snow packed from previous hikers except for small areas that melted and froze after the sun set yesterday. The trees and shrubs were absolutely beautiful. I took my camera and shot a roll of pictures. I took a second roll but my hands were too cold to load the film. I didn't see a soul for the first five miles. Oh, I did see a bear near Gatlinburg but it didn't qualify as a human being. The trip up was six and one half miles of beautiful solitude except for meeting a dozen overnighters on their way down. We chatted and I warned them about the ice below Rainbow Falls. When I reached the lodge, John invited me into the kitchen for hot chocolate and to warm up. I accepted his invitation and gave him the Sunday and Monday editions of the Knoxville News-Sentinel plus the USA Today. Vallerie served me two cups of hot chocolate and Matt refilled my canteen, while I ate my lunch and visited with John, Donna, Bruce and Wayne. There was 12" to 15" of snow around the lodge. My trip down Bull Head Trail was every bit as beautiful, peaceful and enjoyable as the trip up Rainbow Falls Trail. I met two overnighters about two miles below the lodge. I later met two young guys from Knoxville, headed for LeConte Shelter. They were eating their lunch in the bright warm sunshine, at the halfway point between the trailhead and the shelter. They were well equipped for camping including portable stools for sitting. I really can't remember a more enjoyable hike than this one. I just took my time and enjoyed the scenic beauty. It had only warmed up to 32 F when I returned to the trailhead. Met 20 hikers and campers. 7:35.

On to Hike 1000 06/21/97